Thomas Watson Childress, 85, of Dyersburg, died Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Dyersburg Regional Medical Center.
He was a retired service manager for Texgas, a member of Phillips Street Church of Christ, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II where he received the Purple Heart medal and the Combat Infantry Badge while serving in the European Theater, and served as a host at Wendy's for 13 years.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Dyersburg Funeral Home with Jeff Gholson and Tom Bright officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive visitors from 5:30-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Survivors include his wife, Doris Countess Childress of Dyersburg; a daughter, Gloria Chambers and husband, David, of Valrico, Fla.; a son, Tommy Childress and wife, Cindy, of Tiptonville; two sisters, Marjorie Block of Canton, Ohio, and Bobbye Kozoshok of Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; two grandchildren, Jill Craft and Jennifer Furr; and three great-grandchildren, Makayla Craft, Landon Craft and Blake Furr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Larrimore and Mattie Childress; a sister, Virginia Strachn; and a brother, Bill Childress.

Pallbearers will be Joe Childress, John Tibbs, James Countess, Brodie Cupples, Sammy Price and Terry Mullins. Honorary pallbearers will be Edgar Shults, Bobby Diggs, Elam Collins, Jack Tibbs and Tom Countess.

The family requests that any memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society.